Here’s how you can help writers to launch their newest creative projects!
20 Ways to Practice Literary Citizenship
Word of Mouth—Literally, talk to friends and family about a favorite piece of writing.
Informal Book Review—On Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble's website, Powell's website, Goodreads.com, etc., even a pithy sentence of review helps authors to sell books.
Formal Book Review—Pitch an editor at a relevant publication a review of a book. This is especially effective if you know an author and/or can get an advance review copy (ARC). Bonus: Many editors pay for book reviews.
Author Interview—Pitch an editor at a relevant publication and/or interview an author on your blog, if you have one. You can do a Q&A or a profile, depending on the publication and the editor's needs. Include a photo of the author and his/her book (or link to an article, poem, etc.)
Blog Post (www.wordpress.com)—If you have a blog, you can post author interviews and book reviews. You can ask an author to be a guest blogger on a topic related to his/her writing, and host a contest with a book giveaway.
Twitter (www.twitter.com) —Mention a piece of writing or an author on Twitter. Use hashtags. Example: @JeanRyan, love your new #book of short #fiction—especially the sexy #octopus.
Comment Online: Below a piece of writing on a website for a newspaper, magazine, blog, etc., make a comment with an intelligent observation and/or compliment.
Facebook (www.facebook.com)—“Like” an author's page. Comment about his/her work on that page.
◦ Suggest that other Facebook friends “like” an author's page.
◦ “Share” an author's status update about a publication and/or event.
◦ Mention a favorite piece of writing in a status update and link to it.
◦ Promote your review/interview/blog post in a status update with a link
Send a Note—Keep a pack of inexpensive notecards ($4 for 10 at the post office) and stamps on hand. Write a quick note of appreciation to a writer/editor/publisher/agent. You can reach better-known authors through their agent, usually listed on their website.
· Pinterest (www.pinterest.com)--Create a board. When you come across an author's website, the website for a book, a recent article or essay or review or poem, “Pin it” on your board and share the “pin” via Facebook and Twitter.
· Blurb a Book—If asked, consider reading a manuscript and writing a back-cover “blurb” for it.
Attend an Author Reading/Workshop/Event—It's usually worth it to leave the comfort of your home to attend an event. Don't feel pressured to buy anything, and do feel free to speak with the author afterward.
· Join and Attend a Writing Organization—Often, organizations host guest speakers who've just published a book.
· Buy Books and Magazines—This may seem obvious, but just checking these out at the library helps an author very little financially.
· Suggest a Writer as a Guest Speaker—Libraries sometimes have discretionary funds for guest speakers/teachers, and bookstore owners often enjoy tips on good writers. In addition, schoolteachers from grades K-12 look for guest speakers. Suggest that a writer visit, and make sure to give the librarian/bookstore owner/teacher that writer's contact information.
· Host a Book Launch—Have a friend with a new book? Host a themed book-launch party. Can be a potluck in the park, or hors d'œuvres in a chic wine bar.
· Invite an Author to Speak at Your Book Club—Many authors love the idea of mingling with readers who have read their book. They'll answer questions, lead a discussion, even contribute to a potluck.
· Adopt an Author's Writing for Your Class—Are you a teacher with a favorite book, essay, poem, short story, screenplay? Adopt it for use in your class, and point your students in the direction of the writer's website and/or blog and/or social media.
· Suggest a Writer to Your Agent—If you believe in this writer's work, suggest him/her to your literary agent, your editor, your film producer/director, your publisher.
· Attend a Writing Conference—What better place to practice literary citizenship? You can buy books, get them signed, chat up writers in the elevator, talk up their workshops to conference staff, live-Tweet their workshops if you get permission, mention them in social media, etc.